Three Reasons To See Richmond Ballet’s Giselle

The Richmond Ballet is bringing the acclaimed ballet, Giselle, to Richmond’s historic Carpenter Theatre at CenterStage February 11th through February 13th, 2011.

The Richmond Ballet performs Giselle at the Carpenter Theatre February 11 through 13

Giselle, one of the great Romantic ballets, was conceived by the influential French poet, author, critic and possibly the greatest champion of the Romantic ballet, Théophile Gautier. Giselle was created to honor the ballerina Carlotta Grisi, whom Gautier not only admired for her dancing, but with whom he was in love. The ballet was first performed in June 1841 at the Paris Opera and was a success on many levels – even inspiring a style of hat and a type of fabric.

There are three great reasons to make sure you have a ticket to one of these performances:

1. The role of Giselle is one of the most sought-after in ballet, requiring near perfect technique, outstanding grace, and great drama skills. Famous ballerinas who danced this role include Anna Pavlova and Margot Fonteyn. The ballet revolves around forest spirits, death, and the forces of nature, entwined in a classic plot of love, deception, and betrayal.

2. You get both ballet and the Richmond Symphony! The hauntingly beautiful story will come alive under the acclaimed choreography of Malcolm Burn of the Richmond Ballet, accompanied live by the Richmond Symphony for a fully featured performance.

The facade of the Carpenter Theatre at CenterStage In Richmond

3. Attending one of the performances affords the opportunity to enjoy the renovated, grand, historic Carpenter Theatre with nearly 1800 spacious, comfortable seats and state-of-the-art acoustics. Don’t miss the brilliant lighting, including new fiber optics that bring the ceiling’s sparkling lights to their full glory.

Giselle is bound to delight and touch the hearts of audiences as it “tests the true bounds of love, even after death.” TICKETS

As an option, available with a separate ticket, the Richmond Ballet will will host a Valentine’s Brunch prior to the Sunday matinee on February 13, 2011. It’s an excellent chance to enjoy a romantic Valentine’s celebration just before the matinee performance.

So make your plans to visit the Carpenter Theatre, to see all the emotions of the ballet Giselle, and to hear Virginia’s own Richmond Symphony bring the score to life. It’s an experience not to be missed. And, to make it extra-special, include a weekend at the Fan District’s premier bed and breakfast – closest to downtown and closest to CenterStage!